Kentucky Governor Restores Voting Rights To Nonviolent Former Felons

[UglyGreed]

WASHINGTON -- Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear (D) signed an executive order on Tuesday that would automatically restore voting rights to a large number of former felons who have served their sentences. The executive order would not apply to individuals who were convicted of violent crimes, sex crimes, bribery or treason.

Beshear, who has served as governor for eight years, said at a press conference that more than 100,000 people would be affected. The Brennan Center for Justice says about 140,000 individuals are immediately eligible, and another 30,000 will be eligible over time.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/kentucky-voting-rights_5654806be4b0258edb32ebdc

[AtomicKitten]

1. Voting rights should not be permanently rescinded as further punitive action.

Kudos to Gov. Beshear for doing the right thing.

k&r

[KamaAina]

2. I weonder if the incoming teabagger will reverse that.

This would have great impact in eastern Kentucky, where a lot of people have been busted for Oxy, a/k/a "hillbilly heroin".

[question everything]

3. K & R (nt)